For the most part, these secretions are perfectly normal and should not be a reason to worry. However, if the mucous becomes too excessive, it could be indicative of a more serious problem, like a urinary tract infection.
What Does Normal Mucus Look Like?
Normal mucus threads in urine are not actually visible in your urine stream because the color of urine masks the actual mucus. Even though you secrete as much urine as you do mucus, you should not be able to notice the mucus at all.
The mucus is a natural occurrence that manifests when the urethra and the bladder shed small amounts of skin cells. It can be a little heavier in women during ovulation and menstruation, but should that should still not cause any concern.
What If There’s Pain When I Urinate?
Pain during urination could be a symptom of something more serious, such as a Urinary Tract Infection. A UTI can also cause mucus threads in the urine, but it can also be accompanied by mild to severe discomfort. Other signs of UTI include lower back pain, an increase in the urgency and frequency of urination, and slight leakage. UTIs are caused when bacteria grows in the genitals and should be treated by a doctor as soon as possible.
What If The Mucus Has A Different Color?
A distinct color in urinary mucus threads can be indicative of a sexually transmitted disease (STD), such as chlamydia or gonorrhea. In the case of gonorrhea, the mucus will appear as a yellowish discharge and will be visible in the urine.
Chlamydia, on the other hand, may express itself as a whitish discharge. Both of these diseases need immediate medical attention if detected. A cloudy mucus thread could indicate cancer of the bladder and should be taken very seriously.
Did You Know?
Mucous membranes are found on the interior walls of the colon, lungs, uterus and urinary tract. They coat these organs and protect them from damage.
What If There's Excessive Mucus?
Excessive mucus could be present for a number of reasons. Patches of erosions and ulcers on the colon, otherwise known as Ulcerative Colitis, can cause excessive mucus. However, the excess seems to come mostly from a mixture of urine mucus and anal mucus, as Ulcerative Colitis causes most patients to excrete bloody diarrhea.
The mucus becomes excessive because most people with this problem tend to urinate and defecate at the same time. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) can also cause excessive mucus. It too is caused by mucus that may be present in the stool combining the urinary mucus.
What If The Mucus Has An Odor?
Mucus threads in urine that is accompanied by a bad smell may be symptomatic of Urinary Stone Disease. UDS, also referred to as kidney stone disease, is also accompanied by dark urine, back pains, and intense abdominal pain.
Should I Seek Medical Attention If I Notice Urinary Mucus?
Yes. Whether the mucus is excessive, yellowish or white in color, or has a bad odor, you should always seek medical attention. Some of the causes of excessive urinary mucus can be treated quite easily by your doctor. STDs and UTIs can be treated with antibiotics and the mucus often clears up within a week.
IBS is often regulated with changes to the diet or fiber supplements. Anti-inflammatory medication is used to Ulcerative Colitis. However, for more serious issues, such as kidney stone disease or cancer, hospitalization may be required.
Did You Know?
There is no need to worry about the presence of normal mucus in urine. However, underlying conditions may be a reason to consult your physician.
| Symptom | Details |
|---|---|
| Color | Normal: Pale to dark yellow |
| Abnormal:Many foods and medicines can affect the color of the urine. Urine with no color may be caused by long-term kidney disease or uncontrolled diabetes. Dark yellow urine can be caused by dehydration. Red urine can be caused by blood in the urine. | |
| Clarity | Normal:Clear |
| Abnormal:Cloudy urine can be caused by pus (white blood cells), blood (red blood cells), sperm, bacteria, yeast, crystals, mucus, or a parasite infection, such as trichomoniasis. | |
| Odor | Normal:Slightly "nutty" odor |
| Abnormal: Some foods (such as asparagus), vitamins, and antibiotics(such as penicillin) can cause urine to have a different odor. A sweet, fruity odor may be caused by uncontrolled diabetes. A urinary tract infection (UTI) can cause a bad odor. Urine that smells like maple syrup can mean maple syrup urine disease, when the body can't break down certain amino acids. |
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